Food processor lid

ABSTRACT

A lid of a food processing system selectively receivable by a container of the food processing system includes a lid body defining a cavity within the lid body, a locking assembly at least partially disposed within the cavity and an actuator associated the said lid body and the locking assembly. The locking assembly is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to application of a first force applied to the actuator. The locking assembly is movable from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to application of a second force applied to said actuator, the first force and said second force being applied in a same direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/879,124 filed Jan. 24, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Application Ser. No. 62/451,166, filed Jan. 27, 2017, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally a food processing system, and moreparticularly, to a connection between a container of the food processingsystem and a lid of the food processing system.

There are a variety of types of food processors available designed tomix, cut, blend, and otherwise process food. One type of conventionalfood processor includes a container, a lid, and a rotary blade locatedadjacent a bottom of the container. The food processor additionallyincludes a base which houses a motor. When the container is placed onthe base, the motor is configured to drive the rotary blade about anaxis to mix, cut, or blend the food within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment, a lid of a food processing systemselectively receivable by a container of the food processing systemincludes a lid body defining a cavity within the lid body, a lockingassembly at least partially disposed within the cavity and an actuatorassociated the said lid body and the locking assembly. The lockingassembly is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position inresponse to application of a first force applied to the actuator. Thelocking assembly is movable from the locked position to the unlockedposition in response to application of a second force applied to saidactuator, the first force and said second force being applied in a samedirection.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said locking assembly is springbiased towards said unlocked position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said locking assembly furthercomprises at least one lock operably coupled to said actuator.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments application of said first force andsaid second force causes said actuator to move about a first axis andsaid at least one lock to move about a second axis, said second axisbeing different than said first axis.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said first axis and said second axisare substantially perpendicular.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said at least one lock is configuredto rotate about said second axis.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments when said lid is mounted to thecontainer, said at least one lock is engagable with an interlock of thefood processing system.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments when said locking assembly is insaid unlocked position, said actuator is offset from an upper surface ofsaid housing by a first distance and when said locking assembly is insaid locked position said actuator is offset from said upper surface ofsaid housing by a second distance, said first distance being greaterthan said second distance

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments comprising a mechanism forselectively retaining said actuator when said locking mechanism is insaid locked position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said lid is receivable by thecontainer when said locking assembly is in both a locked position and anunlocked position.

According to another embodiment, a method of mounting a lid to acontainer of a food processing assembly includes applying a force to anactuator of the lid such that the actuator moves along a first axis,moving a lock operably coupled to the actuator along a second axis,different from the first axis such that an elongated engagement memberof the lock is receivable by the container, and coupling the lid to thecontainer.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments comprising selectively retainingsaid actuator in an actuated position in response to movement of saidactuator along said first axis.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments coupling the lid to the containerfurther comprises receiving said engagement member within an opening ofthe container.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments receiving said engagement memberwithin said opening further comprises applying a force to an interlockto provide power to a motorized unit of the food processing system.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments coupling the lid to the containeroccurs prior to applying said force to said actuator of said lockingassembly.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments coupling the lid to the containeroccurs simultaneously or after applying said force to said actuator ofsaid locking assembly.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments coupling the lid to the containeroccurs after said lock is moved such that said elongated engagementmember is receivable by said container.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments comprising applying another force tosaid actuator to unlock the lid from the container, said another forceand said force being oriented in a same direction.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments moving said actuator along saidfirst axis exposes or hides a visible indicator.

According to another embodiment, a food processing system includes abase and a container for selective coupling to the base. The containeris sized to receive food to be processed. A lid for selective couplingto said container includes an actuator and a locking assembly. Thelocking assembly is movable from an unlocked position to a lockedposition in response to application of a first force to said actuator.The locking assembly is movable from said locked position to saidunlocked position in response to application of a second force to saidactuator, said first force and said second force being applied in a samedirection.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages ofthe disclosure are apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a food processing system;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a lid having a locking assemblyaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an example of a mechanism for selectively retaining anactuator of the lid in an actuated position according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a lid having a locking assemblyaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of the button andmechanism of the locking assembly of the lid in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of a lid having a lockingassembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional view of a lid having a lockingassembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a mechanism of the lockingassembly of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mechanism of the locking assembly ofFIGS. 7 and 8 according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lock of the locking assemblyaccording to an embodiment;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional view of a portion of a lockingassembly in an actuated and an unactuated position according to anembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of a lid having a lockingassembly according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a lock of a locking assemblyaccording to an embodiment.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the present disclosure,together with advantages and features, by way of example with referenceto the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates view of an example of a food processing system 20according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing foodsystem 20 can be adapted to perform any food processing or blendingoperation including as non-limiting examples, dicing, chopping, cutting,slicing, mixing, blending, stirring, crushing, or the like. Theillustrated food processing system 20 includes a base 22 having a bodyor housing 24 within which a motorized unit (not shown) and at least onecontroller (not shown) are located. The base 22 includes at least onerotary coupling (not shown) for example, driven by the motorized unitwithin the body 24. The base 22 additionally includes a control panel oruser interface 26 including one or more buttons or other input devices28 for turning the motorized unit on and off and for selecting variousmodes of operation, such as pulsing, blending, or continuous foodprocessing for example.

The food processing system 20 additionally includes a container 30adapted (e.g. sized and dimensioned) to receive one or more foodproducts therein to be processed. The container 30 generally includes atop 32, a bottom 34, and one or more walls 36 extending there between todefine an interior chamber 38 within which food products are placed andprocessed. The top 32 of the container 30 includes an opening 40 (FIG.2) that provides access for the one or more food items into the chamber38. The bottom 34 of the container 30 is generally closed such that foodproducts contained within the chamber 38 are unable to escape therethrough.

A rotatable blade assembly 42 is positioned within the chamber 38 tofacilitate processing and/or the blending of food products. A drivencoupler (not shown) associated with the rotatable blade assembly 42 ismounted adjacent an underside of the bottom of the container 30. In anembodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the container 30 is a conventionalcontainer wherein the rotatable blade assembly 42 is integrally formedwith the bottom 34 of the container 30. However, embodiments where therotatable blade assembly 42 is removably coupled to a spindle or othersupport (not shown) extending from the bottom of the container 30 arealso contemplated herein.

The base 22 is adapted to couple with the container 30 such that whenthe container 30 is installed thereon, the motorized unit and therotatable blade assembly 42 are mechanically coupled, for example viaengagement between the drive coupler and the driven coupler. As aresult, the motorized unit can be adapted to drive rotation of therotatable blade assembly 42 about an axis to perform one or more foodprocessing and/or blending operations when one or more input devices 29of a user interface 28 are actuated.

Depending on the type of container 30 being used, aspects of the presentinvention are directed to a food processor system 20 including acontainer 30 that may be slidably or rotatably attached to the base 22.However, it should be understood that containers 30 that connect to thebase 22 in a different manner are also contemplated herein. In oneembodiment, the sliding and/or rotational movement of the container 30relative to the base 22 is in a direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the downward movement of the container 30 onto the base22. The container 30 may additionally be locked to the base 22.

A lid 50 is configured to attach to the top 32 of the container 30 priorto operation of the food processing system 20 to prevent the food itemswithin the chamber 38 from spilling during a food processing operation.The lid 50 may be simply press-fit into the opening 40 at the top of thecontainer to cover the chamber 38. In other embodiments, the lid 50 maybe may configured to lock to the container 30. For example, the lid 50is coupled to the container 30 by moving the lid 50 downwardly onto thecontainer 30 in a direction along the axis defined by the rotatableblade assembly 42. When the lid 50 is aligned with and coupled to thetop 32 of the container 30, an additional operation may be used to lockthe lid 50 to the container 30.

With reference now to FIGS. 2-13, a lid 50 of the food processingassembly 20 is illustrated in more detail. The lid 50 includes a lowerhousing 52 having a shape generally complementary to the interior of thecontainer 30 adjacent the first end 32. As shown, the lower housing 52is generally hollow and may be formed from a food safe material, such asvia an injection molding process for example. An upper housing 54 iscoupled to the lower housing 52 to define a cavity 56 between the upperand lower housings 52, 54. A gasket 58 may extend about a periphery ofthe lower housing 52 to seal the contents within the chamber 38 when thelid 50 is coupled to the container 30.

The lid 50 includes a locking assembly 60 for selectively locking thelid 50 to the container 30. An exposed button or actuator 62 movablealong an axis between a first unactuated position and a second actuatedposition is associated with the locking assembly 60. In an embodiment,when the button 62 is in the unactuated position, the button 62 isgenerally raised relative to the upper surface 64 of the lid 50, andwhen the button 62 is in the actuated position, the button 62 isgenerally flush with the upper surface 64 of the lid 50. Alternatively,the button 62 may be generally raised relative to the upper surface 64of the lid 50 when the button 62 is in the actuated position. However,in such embodiments, the distance between the button 62 and the uppersurface 64 of the lid 50 is less when the button 62 is in the actuatedposition than in the unactuated position. Further, in some embodiments,the button 62 includes a window for indicating to a user when the lid 50is in a locked configuration. In an embodiment, the window may be backsprayed such that an icon or other indicator is only visible through thewindow when the window is directly adjacent the icon.

A mechanism 66 is operably coupled to the button 62 and the lid 50 oselectively retain the button 62 in the actuated position. In thenon-limiting embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the mechanism 66 is apush-push mechanism having a first end 68 engaged with a post or pin 70extending upwardly from an inner surface 72 of the lower housing 52 anda second end 74 coupled to the button 62. When a generally verticaldownward force is applied to the unactuated button 62, at least aportion of the button 62 is slidably received within the cavity 58. Thismovement of the button 62 compresses the internal biasing mechanism (notshown) of the push-push mechanism 66, causing the mechanism 66 to lockin place and retain the button 62 in the actuated position. Applicationof another generally vertical downward force to the button 62, now inthe actuated position, results in further compression of the internalbiasing mechanism, thereby allowing the push-push mechanism 66 torelease. The biasing force of the biasing mechanism causes the button 62to transl ate vertically, back to the unactuated position.

With reference now to FIGS. 4-6, another example of the mechanism 66 forretaining the button 62 in the actuated position is illustrated. Asshown, the mechanism 66 includes a collar 78 located within the hollowinterior of the button 62 and includes an indexer 80 mounted to thesurface 72 of the lower housing 52 adjacent to the collar 78. In anembodiment, the indexer 80 is arranged concentrically with the collar78. The collar 78 is configured to rotate relative to the button 62about an axis defined by the collar 78. The indexer 80 defines aplurality of distinct positions 82 connected by a passage 84. In anembodiment, the positions 82 have an alternating high configuration andlow configuration about the periphery of the indexer 80. At least onetooth 86 extending from the collar 78 is received within the passage 84of the indexer 80.

The locational difference between the high configuration and the lowconfiguration causes the button 62 to translate relative to the uppersurface 64 between the actuated and unactuated positions. For example,when the tooth 86 is located at a high configuration defined in theindexer 80, the button 62 is in the unactuated position, and when thetooth 86 is located at a low configuration of the indexer 80, the button62 is in the actuated position. Application of a generally verticalforce to the button 62 causes the collar 78 to rotate relative to thebutton 62 and the indexer 80 such that the tooth 86 of the collar 78rotates to the next defined position 82. Accordingly, a generallyvertical force is operable to both actuate and release the button 62.

Yet another example of the mechanism 66 is shown in the non-limitingembodiment of FIGS. 7-9. As shown, the mechanism 66 includes an indexer88 mounted to a surface 72 of the lower housing 52. A wire 90 coupled tothe indexer 88 is affixed to a portion of the button 62. The wire 90 ismovable along a predefined path 92 formed in the indexer 88 between afirst high position 94 and a second low position 96. When a generallyvertical downward force is applied to the unactuated button 62, the wire90 moves along the path 92 from the first high position 94 towards thebottom of the indexer 88. Upon release of the force, a biasing mechanism(not shown) associated with the button 62 and/or the wire 90, causes thewire 90 to bias into the second low position 96. When another generallyvertical downward force is applied to the button 62, now in the actuatedposition, the wire 90 is disengaged from the second position 96 and as aresult of the biasing force of the biasing mechanism, follows the path92 until reaching the first high position 94. It should be understoodthat the various mechanisms 66 illustrated and described herein areintended as examples only, and that any suitable mechanism 66 forselectively retaining the button 62 in the actuated position is withinthe scope of the disclosure.

The locking assembly 60 includes at least one lock 100 configured tocooperate with the button 62 to selectively lock the lid 50 to thecontainer 30. An example of a lock 100 is shown in more detail in FIG.10. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the lock 100 includes afirst portion 102 and a second portion 104 coupled by a biasingmechanism 106, such as a coil spring for example. In an embodiment, thesecond portion 104 of the lock 100 includes an elongated engagementmember 108 extending in a direction away from the first portion 102.When the lid 50 is coupled to the container 30, the distal end of theengagement member 108 is receivable within an opening or pocket 110formed in a sidewall 38 of the container 30. By connecting the firstportion 102 and the second portion 104 of the lock 100 with the biasingmechanism, the lid 50 may already be in a locked configuration whencoupled to the container 30.

The lock 100 is positioned within the lid cavity 56 such that the firstportion 102 of the lock 100 is generally adjacent to the button 62. Asshown, the first portion 102 of the lock 100 is separate from the button62. However, other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11 b,where the lock 100 is directly coupled to a portion of the button 62 arealso contemplated herein. For example, as shown, a tab 112 extendingfrom the button 62 may be slidably received within a channel 113 formedin the first portion of the lock 100.

With reference again to FIG. 10, as the button 62 moves from anunactuated to the actuated position, the button 62 contacts and appliesa force to the lock 100. The direction of movement of the button 62 andthe direction of the force applied by the button 62 to the lock 100 aregenerally perpendicular. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, atleast one of the portion of the button 62 configured to contact the lock100 and the surface 114 of the first portion 102 of the lock 100 engagedby the button 62 is generally angled. As a result, the force applied bythe button 62 to the lock 100 causes the lock 100 to translate withinthe lower housing 52 causing the elongated engagement member 108 toextend into the pocket 110 of the container 30.

In an embodiment, a lock 100 may also be configured to operate aninterlock of the food processing system 20. As shown in the non-limitingembodiment of FIG. 6, an interlock 116 movable to activate a switch (notshown) and deliver power to the motorized unit of the system 20 isarranged within a portion of the container 30, such as in a handle 44thereof for example. The opening 110 may be formed in the handle 44 suchthat when the lid 50 is coupled to the open end 32 of the container 30,the engagement member 108 is generally oriented towards the handle 44.Actuation of the button 62 causes the lock 100 to slide relative to thelower housing 52 and the engagement member 108 to extend through theopening 110 and contact the interlock 116 or a link coupled to theinterlock 116. In such embodiments, the horizontal force applied by theengagement member 108 to the interlock 116 is translated into verticalmovement of the interlock 116. This vertical motion applies a force toclose the switch (not shown), thereby completing a circuit for supplyingpower to the motorized unit.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, the lock 100 configured tooperate the interlock 116 of the food processing system 20 includes afirst portion 102 and a second portion 104 rotatably coupled to oneanother. In such embodiments, actuation of the button 62 causes thefirst portion 102 of the lock 100 to slide relative to the lower housing52. The sliding motion of the first portion 102 is configured to apply arotational force to the second portion 104, causing the engagementmember 108 of the lock 100 to rotate through the opening 110 formed inthe container 30 and into contact with the interlock 116 or a linkcoupled to with the interlock 116. The locks 100 configured to interactwith the interlock 116 described herein are intended as an example onlyand other configurations are also within the scope of the disclosure.

With reference now to FIGS. 12 and 13, the locking assembly 60 mayinclude a plurality of locks 100 associated with the button 62. Theplurality of locks 100 may be substantially identical, or alternatively,may vary. In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 13, at least one of thelocks 100 of the locking assembly 60 is a poka-yoke lock configured toprevent the locking assembly 60 from being locked unless the lid 50 iscoupled to the container 30 in a desired orientation. As shown, the lock100 includes body 102 having an elongated engagement member 108. Abiasing mechanism 106 is positioned between a portion of the body 102and a corresponding portion of the lower housing 52. The biasingmechanism 106 is configured to bias the body 102 into an extendedposition where the elongated engagement member 108 extends outwardlyfrom the lid 50. The body 102 additionally includes a button stop 120configured to cooperate with a portion of the button 62 to controlmovement of the button 62 between the unactuated and actuated positions.When the body 102 is in the biased position, the button stop 120 is incontact with the button 62 to restrict movement of the button 62. Whenthe body 102 is translated inwardly, the button stop 120 is moved out ofengagement with the button 62, thereby allowing actuation of the button62.

A portion of the container 30 generally adjacent the poka-yoke lock 100includes a feature 122, such as a ramp surface for example, configuredto cooperate with the engagement member 108 of the body 102. Theinteraction between the ramp surface 122 and the engagement member 108gradually forces the lock body 102 to a retracted position. Only whenthe lid 50 is installed to the container 30 in a correct orientationdoes the feature 122 apply the necessary force to the engagement member108 to move the body to a position allowing the button 62 to beactuated.

The food processing system illustrated and described herein relies on asingle mechanism motion not only to lock the lid 50 to the container 30,but also to engage the interlock 116. Further, the same mechanicalmotion is relied upon to unlock the lid. This singular point ofinteraction is more intuitive, does not have a bias, requires lowactivation forces, which in combination create an enhanced, moreuser-friendly experience.

While the disclosure has been described in detail in connection withonly a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understoodthat the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments.Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number ofvariations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements notheretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of thedisclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects ofthe disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by theforegoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A lid of a food processing system, the lid being selectively receivable by a container of the food processing system, the lid comprising: a lid body defining a cavity within said lid body; a locking assembly at least partially disposed within said cavity; an actuator associated with said lid body and said locking assembly; wherein said locking assembly is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to application of a first force applied to said actuator, and wherein said locking assembly is movable from said locked position to said unlocked position in response to application of a second force applied to said actuator, said first force and said second force being applied in a same direction.
 2. The lid of claim 1, wherein said locking assembly is spring biased towards said unlocked position.
 3. The lid of claim 1, wherein said locking assembly further comprises at least one lock operably coupled to said actuator.
 4. The lid of claim 3, wherein application of said first force and said second force causes said actuator to move about a first axis and said at least one lock to move about a second axis, said second axis being different than said first axis.
 5. The lid of claim 4, wherein said first axis and said second axis are substantially perpendicular.
 6. The lid of claim 4, wherein said at least one lock is configured to rotate about said second axis.
 7. The lid of claim 3, wherein when said lid is mounted to the container, said at least one lock is engagable with an interlock of the food processing system.
 8. The lid of claim 3, wherein when said locking assembly is in said unlocked position, said actuator is offset from an upper surface of said housing by a first distance and when said locking assembly is in said locked position said actuator is offset from said upper surface of said housing by a second distance, said first distance being greater than said second distance
 9. The lid of claim 1, lid further comprising a mechanism for selectively retaining said actuator when said locking mechanism is in said locked position.
 10. The lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is receivable by the container when said locking assembly is in both a locked position and an unlocked position.
 11. A method of mounting a lid to a container of a food processing assembly comprising: applying a force to an actuator of the lid such that said actuator moves along a first axis; and moving a lock operably coupled to said actuator along a second axis, different from said first axis such that an elongated engagement member of said lock is receivable by the container; and coupling the lid to the container.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising selectively retaining said actuator in an actuated position in response to movement of said actuator along said first axis.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the lid to the container further comprises receiving said engagement member within an opening of the container.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving said engagement member within said opening further comprises applying a force to an interlock to provide power to a motorized unit of the food processing system.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the lid to the container occurs prior to applying said force to said actuator of said locking assembly.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the lid to the container occurs simultaneously or after applying said force to said actuator of said locking assembly.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling the lid to the container occurs after said lock is moved such that said elongated engagement member is receivable by said container.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising applying another force to said actuator to unlock the lid from the container, said another force and said force being oriented in a same direction.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein moving said actuator along said first axis exposes or hides a visible indicator.
 20. A food processing system comprising: a base; a container for selective coupling to said base, said container being sized to receive food to be processed; and a lid for selective coupling to said container, said lid including an actuator and a locking assembly, wherein said locking assembly is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position in response to application of a first force to said actuator, and wherein said locking assembly is movable from said locked position to said unlocked position in response to application of a second force to said actuator, said first force and said second force being applied in a same direction. 